It’s Wellness Wednesday, friends!
Today, instead of having a “wellness” post and a “lifestyle” post like I had originally planned, I scrapped both posts about 45 seconds into my pastor’s sermon on Sunday morning and decided to make one all around “wellness” post based on his message.
You guys, I love listening to my pastor every week, but when he starts saying things like “You don’t just show up to a contented life.”…I find myself leaning in, taking copious notes, and then sharing them with this community.
Because I believe that sentence with all my heart. We don’t just show up to one, we have to actively choose it.
So, this “wellness” Wednesday is not about strength training or getting a good leg workout in or intermittent fasting…this one is about our emotional/mental/spiritual health.
I took notes and located his resources (below), but then, I’m also going to link to his sermon should you want to watch/listen. It’s Biblically based (Paul was content from the Roman prison), but in my opinion, the sermon was very very very applicable for everyone…especially this community.
Let’s go…
You can find the actual sermon HERE. He starts preaching at 4 minutes and 20 seconds in.
I LOVED the article he references in the sermon from Psychology Today called The Quiet Power of Contentment. I highly recommend you read that article where the author outlines 10 Tenets for Cultivating Contentment:
1: GRATITUDE
2: MINDFULNESS
3: GOAL-SETTING
4: DIGITAL DETOX
5: COMMUNING WITH NATURE
6: RELATIONSHIPS
7: GENEROSITY
8: HOBBIES
9: ACCEPTANCE
10: SELF-COMPASSION
I’ve read it now several times, and the author does a wonderful job outlining each tenet as well as giving practical examples and activities so one could mindfully cultivate more contentment in their life.
My pastor references that article and then elaborates and builds his sermon on Philippians as he shares the Biblical perspective based on Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi while imprisoned. He outlines the 6 Keys to True Contentment:
1: FIND GOOD EXAMPLES
2: PRACTICE GRATITUDE IN EVERY SITUATION
3: DON’T EVER LOSE HELP
4: LIVE WITH A GENEROUS HEART
5: TRUST IN GOD’S PROVISION
6: GLORIFY GOD IN EVERY SETTING
(You should totally watch it/listen to hear him expand on each key.)
So, what’s my point with all of this today?
Well, I think the older I get and the longer I do this thing online, the more I want myself and ALL OF YOU to live a life of contentment. Contentment is going to mean something different and personal to each and every one of us. It’s an inner peace that is extremely unique to each individual. Like so many of you, I’ve watched and learned from others I know and love and those I know who are the most content are actively choosing it outside of external circumstances.
Contentment is a choice. I truly strive for that each day and sermons like THIS and articles LIKE THIS (one Biblical, one secular) are so encouraging, motivating, and inspiring to me.
I think wellness encompasses the whole person (not just the physical), so if you are like me and striving for a life of contentment today, I hope you find both resources just as powerful.
That’s it for today. Sending you all so much love! xx
Marybeth says
Thank you, Shay. I really needed this today. Thanks for all you do.
Elspeth Mizner says
Love this mentality! I think we get caught up in the next and future that we forget to live in the moment! Great advice and mindset Shay! Thank you!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Jess S says
This is such a beautiful message and exactly the reminder I needed this morning. Thank you for being such a wonderful example of positivity.
Laura says
We recently found the book Enough is… by Jessica Whipple at our local library. It is about teaching kids to be content and just generally a sweet book.
The Real Kim Williams FU says
This was actually just what I needed this morning — my heart is clearly not in a contented place right now. Thank you for always knowing exactly what I need each day. I love your blog. You constantly give me more more more.
Heather says
I have been listening to your pastor’s latest sermon series “Unbreakable Joy”. It is exactly what I need right now. I listened to his latest one on contentment yesterday during my walk – so so good.
I am going to work my way back through them again. Thank you for introducing us to your church’s podcast a while back; and for sharing and living out your faith. ❤️
Mix and Match Mama says
I am so happy you’ve been listening!!
Erika Slaughter says
Ebby Lee was still talking about the sermons on Sunday evening which is high praise to have a teen talking about a sermon!
Bev Byerly says
Amen! Love that show was talking about the sermon.
Deb says
Love this post and will be listening to the sermon this morning as I walk. Contentment is so good for the soul. I have had years of contentment (and the first time I realized it, it wa shocking…lol), but sadly I have also had years where I’ve grabbed back all my worries from God and felt zero contentment. I strive for the peace that comes with contentment. Thanks for sharing.
Melissa Terry says
Love this! Thank you for sharing…”you don’t show up to a contended life” is a nugget to remember.
Paige E says
I found this article really helpful too. Especially the part about the “antsy mind.” I do need to seek out some creative hobbies to fill my mind at times. https://doablesimplicity.com/cultivating-contentment-the-secret-to-a-happy-simple-life/
This is such an important topic. Choosing to love the life you’ve been blessed with – no matter what that looks like – is the key to a wonderful life. I definitely find myself in valleys with this and just have to purposefully reset and concentrate on gratitude. God has good things for us. He never said life would be without trouble, but he does promise we can take heart because Jesus has already overcome the world. Peace to all today (including myself) and I pray blessings for this community.
Susan W. says
Last May I was at a Women’s Ministry event at my church and our speaker presented on contentment. She specifically spoke about the key role gratitude plays in living a content life. Our activity for that event was to make a gratitude journal and the speaker encouraged us to write at least one thing we were thankful for every day. Since then, I’ve made it my goal to write down at least 4 things that I am thankful for that day. Sometimes it’s simple things like “the sun was shining today after days of cloudiness” (I live in the Midwest where our winters are very grey!). Other days it’s thankfulness for something bigger like seeing my child succeed in a sporting event or achieving a goal I had set for myself. What started as a “chore” before bed has become a wonderful ritual where I can reflect upon my day and spend a few moments in prayer thanking Jesus for the gifts He graciously gives me.
Mix and Match Mama says
I love this so much, Susan! I’ve blogged about my gratitude journaling before, but it truly changed my life. I can’t even describe how the practice of writing down things every day I was grateful for shaped me. I LOVE that you shared this with everyone today. Thank YOU! PS: I just looked up my post, and it’s 15 years old. You can read it here: https://mixandmatchmama.com/2010/12/grateful/
Susan W. says
Thank you! And thank you for sharing your post about your gratitude journaling. I started following your blog in 2014 so alot of your earlier posts, other than recipes, I haven’t read through.
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank YOU for being a part of the community this long. I’m blessed by it.
Paula Hobbs says
You’ll never know how much I needed this today. Thank you, Shay!
Melissa Hildreth says
One of my favorite posts from you! I didn’t know that I needed to hear this, but I did!
Alden Grace says
Contentment was the word I chose for 2025 so I was excited to read your post today.
How do you balance these tenants for cultivating contentment with consumerism and the heavy focus on material possessions and travel and home renovations and beauty routines? Obviously, as an influencer, this is a big part of your job. Similarly, I work in a space that makes me really tuned into esthetics and trends. I’d be curious to know how you approach this in your life?
Mix and Match Mama says
I think that’s a really valid question. For me, it’s about the peace I feel. There are many times in my life when the Holy Spirit does not give me the peace I long for, and I have to reevaluate and really work on whatever that thing is (whether it’s relationships, my attitude, my situation…the list is long). I have two very different careers and try to do the Lord’s work in each one (while also actually doing a good job at said careers…and traveling and buying things makes me better at both). I am a work in progress which is why I pray over them and always lean on the Lord to give me peace (or lack thereof) when I’m in/out of His will.
Beth Valenta says
What a great message today. The past few years, I have truly taken more time to just relish the moment I am in. That moment can be sitting in front of the fire in my home, laughing with friends, or today’s yet another snow day here in VA. The gratitude journal is so needed to look back on when days don’t go as planned and last year I added sending cards out. I send a card to my mom every few weeks just to tell her I love her and how she has shaped me. This outward gratitude helps me reflect as well.
You are a blessing here my friend!
Mix and Match Mama says
Well, I just love this, Beth!
Amy Mahoney says
I always appreciate you sharing faith based content and spreading the word of the Lord. There is not enough of that in today’s world!
Meredith says
Love this! Thank you, Shay! Do you still use the Simple Abundance Journal of Gratitude? I clicked on the link you posted and just bought it 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
I did it for 13 years in a row but realized it had become such a natural part of my every day quiet time, that I stopped writing it down as I was just doing it along with my prayer journal. Thirteen is my favorite number, so I thought 13 years was a good place to stop…that being said, I’ve thought about maybe specifically picking it back up again especially when I enter my next big chapter in life (when I become an empty nester). I don’t know? We’ll see!
K.K. says
Love this topic. Such a good reminder that it takes our active choices to find it! I was driving home from a trip yesterday, and I listened to a podcast the first hour, but after that, I just turned everything off and prayed for awhile before anything else digital/entertainment happened. And then, I remembered how sweet this time is. It’s like I had to show up and choose it to then remember how much I value it.
Alyssa Norman says
Man this is something I REALLY struggle with. It’s so easy to get caught up in “what we don’t have” or where my life isn’t in this season and I fail to be content and present in my life right here and now. Thank you for always being such an inspiration and being that “good example”. I love that you are a positive force online encouraging people to be better rather than wallowing in all of our troubles/ issues etc. I will be checking my out these books and articles and making a conscious effort this week to work on this! ❤️
Patrice Bennett says
This is awesome! I’m eager to hear the sermon and read the article! (And I wouldn’t have done the weight training or leg workout! 😆)
Thank you!
Mix and Match Mama says
Your comment made me chuckle!
Kristy says
Love this. I don’t remember where I heard or read it, but it changed my mind set with contentment. I get to do something, I don’t have to. To put it in practice, I get to bring my son to the urgent care this morning. I get to make dinner, wash the dishes, fold the laundry. They’re all privileges. I also remind myself often that I don’t know when the last time might be of something, life changes in an instant.
Julie says
Love this, really reframes things! ❤️
Lauren says
This is exactly what I needed! I learned so much while listening to the sermon and now I’m eager to listen to the previous sermons in the series. Thank you for sharing!
Dawn Scheurich says
Contentment can only be found in Christ—I have had this head knowledge since my youth, but I truly started believing it as a young adult. When life is hard and everything seems to be falling apart, you can still be content! It’s a daily practice and choice, as you said. We have to choose to follow Jesus every day, hour, minute! Thanks for always sharing your heart!
~B~ says
Thank you, Shay. I needed this today and many days. A great deal of my work has been spent with those nearing the end of their lives. I am so incredibly fortunate to get to hear about their lives and welcome them to share memories and stories with me (seriously, how blessed am I to hear their stories)? I love telling them I am just there to listen and they can share away. I love hearing about the memories of what we might call the little things after we’ve discussed their family life. Perhaps we will talk about a favorite book or song. Their garden. Their love of tennis. You name it. So then, each and every day I would remind myself that hearing those stories has a purpose in my life. I don’t have to search hard to find the meaning. Life is short, and can at times be even shorter. Most of us have to work and we have to get through the mundane tasks of every day life, right? But where we can find the joys too? I cannot wait to watch the sermon you shared, Shay, as I strive to find true contentment in my life. Thank you.
Paula says
“Count it all joy” is a phrase from the Bible that encourages people to find joy in trials and tribulations. It appears in James 1:2-4.
I try really hard to live this out. Several circumstances, out of my control, have caused me to be a lifetime caregiver to family members. Details don’t matter, but many days feel long and lonely. And if I am honest, in the early days, 20 years ago, unfair. I felt robbed of “my dream” and the “deals” I made with God promising to be good. Through hours upon hours of prayers and God refining me, I see just how wrong my perspective was and incredibly selfishly sinful.
One of the people I think of often when I want to pity myself is your friend Mandi. She handle her life and death with such beauty. Her circumstances, here on earth side were very unfair, but her impact heaven side is unbelievable and only God knows how amazing.
So, I look at my circumstances, while not “perfect”, I can choose contentment WITH JOY and give God the glory for His goodness & faithfulness not matter what is happening to me.
Great post. Thank you so much. I will listen to the sermon. I spend a lot of time being a mom Uber, so that is when I listen to podcast.
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwww, I was just talking to her parents a few days ago. The 26th will be the 8th anniversary of her passing. She showed me how to live in contentment and how to die in it too. Thank you for thinking of her.
Maggie says
I have been struggling with anxiety in a big way recently, so much uncertainty and not being able to let things go or trying to figure out “what do I do?”. Just yesterday I sat down and just kept praying to God to please bring me something, show me something that will give me some peace and knowledge of what to do. I woke up this morning and the podcast that played was Joyce Meyer all about Fear, and then opened your blog and this sermon was here. He listens, gosh does God listen. Thank you so much for being what he worked through to give me some peace, He is here and He is listening.
Mix and Match Mama says
I have chills! He IS listening!! Thank you for sharing this with us. He is, he is!
Laura Holmes says
I love when the thing you need is put right in front of you. Thank you so much for this post today. I have been leaning in towards gratitude lately and really would like to dive into contentment. I have taught my children to pray for contentment each night and I would love to show them this sermon. I can’t wait to dive into it and the articles.
Whitney says
This comes at a great time for me. I’ve really struggled with discontentment my whole life and fell like I’ve done damage to my family and marriage because I’ve always been focused on the next phase being better. I decided back in November that 2025 will be my year of contentment.
Sheaffer says
We were at the ranch, but we watched the sermon there live and loved it. We were at church the week before and felt like he was preaching directly to me on fear and anxiety!
Jodi says
What a great message! Thank you for sharing.
Rhoda W says
Shay, God works in mysterious ways and he’s definitely working through you! Thank you for your spiritual wellness message today. It really resonates and consolidates my own SLOW spiritual awakening and my desire to move towards living life with intention and contentment, centered and guided by GOD.
I love that you whole heartedly profess your faith at every opportunity. This open acknowledgment of your love of Jesus is something that I strive for but truly struggle to emulate. We are all a product of our environment. My upbringing (in England) included pre-functionary Christian overtones, but we were like the majority of UK families that went to church for weddings and funerals and probably didn’t give much thought to God between these events. A LONG time ago, church and God in UK, become less trendy and not “cool”. Now, having lived in the USA for the past 23 years I am noticing that “popular culture” is slowly moving younger Americans away from GOD too. As I’ve aged over the years, lived and lost friends and family I have become acutely aware that He is working through each and every one of us on this earth. I just wanted to tell you and your blog have been instrumental in my own spiritual awakening journey. Thank you and just keep being you! xxx
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank YOU for taking the time to share this with me. I’m so blessed by your comment today. xx
Susy says
The most timely of posts. I’ve never been as concerned and frightened as I have in the last four weeks. These are unprecedented times—the opposite of the beatitudes. I must pray I trust you Jesus 20 times a day! And yet He assures me He is holding my right hand.
Jill says
57 years old and I’m still searching for contentment, Thank you.
Laurie says
I love this so much! This is how I try to live my life. I just told my husband yesterday that I am so weary of comments like, “It’s almost Friday”, “It’s a Monday” and “I can’t wait for Spring etc.”
Heather says
This is such an important message in the world of wellness. It may rain, but finding out how to dance in the rain- that is only happening to those truly content!
Deb says
Thank you for this – I needed this reminder today and it really spoke to me. I am going to listen to the sermon to get a more in depth view of his words.
Lynn says
Exactly sermon! Thank you for sharing!
Paige says
Shay,
Thank you for glorifying God in your life….EVERYDAY!! This space is a joy!! Especially today!! Contentment and peace is something I strive for daily. No other place can we find it, but with Jesus!! I pray if someone reading this today doesn’t have that relationship, they commit their life to Christ where they too can find true contentment !!
XO,
Paige
Jessica says
This post was just what I needed. The sermon was spot on. Thank you for always encouraging us to be out best.
Sarah Pond says
Thank you so much for sharing this! You have no idea how much I needed to hear it!